Taipei, May 20 -- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday criticised China for threatening peace across the Taiwan Strait, calling it an "aggressor" despite reiterating his willingness to hold talks with Beijing, Central News Agency (CNA) reported.

After delivering a speech marking the first anniversary of his taking office, he said, "The aggressor is the one who undermines peace."

He said, "Many countries around the world, including Taiwan, are in fact under the threat of aggressors," noting that Taiwan was committed to pursuing peace.

Lai made these remarks while responding to a question regarding the ongoing cross-strait tensions and China's apparent use of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan whenever Lai, who faces strong...